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5 Signs You’re a Libertarian Republican at Heart

KRISTI KIRK (PATRIOTS AND PAULIES POLITICS & NEWS) – Whatd’ya get when you cross a Libertarian with a Republican? A “liberty Republican?” Or a “Libertarian Republican” perhaps?I prefer, “Republitarian.” But then I think the elephant-porcupine hybrid makes a ‘cute mascot.’

According to the Washington Times, in polite circles, Republicans who borrow a few pages from the Libertarian Party playbook are called “Libertarian leaning” Republicans — which a new poll reveals is now about 41% of the GOP voter base (or closer to 80 percent if you include Republican-leaning Independents.)

Yes, you read it correctly.

Republicans in record numbers are leaning more toward the ideals and principles of Libertarianism — and if you are a fiscally conservative Republican with a moderate social conscience, chances are you’re one of them!

Don’t worry. It’s not that Republicans “are suddenly self-identifying as “libertarians” and devouring Ayn Rand novels,” a conciliatory James Hohmann points out in Politico, “but more that they seem to be embracing underlying libertarian priorities and views about the role of government.”

Still, big-tent “libertarian” values within both the Republican party and the American voter population at large are at the highest levels in a decade. (And to think not long ago Sen. Rand Paul was scoffed at for suggesting that a “libertarian Republican approach” to politics could help win over young voters as well as moderates and independent voters for the Republican party!)

So how do you know if you’re becoming a more libertarian Republican? Here’s a political litmus test of sorts that might help you see which way you’re truly leaning…

5 Signs You’re Becoming a More
Libertarian Republican

(JHPOLITICS.COM) Justin Higgins – It’s undeniable that libertarian tendencies are becoming far more mainstream within the Republican Party, but I find it interesting how it’s happening within individuals. I see it in myself (albeit not on everything,) and plenty of my political contacts are becoming more libertarian.

4. Marriage? Why Are We Even Talking About This?

But now you don’t even want the government involved in marriage. Every time someone argues in favor of same sex marriage or an amendment defining marriage, you tell them:

(Photo Credit: JHPoltics.com)

3. You Aren’t Really Uncomfortable With Drug Legalization Anymore

You used to think that marijuana legalization would ruin the world and destroy society.

(Photo Credit: JHPoltics.com)

But now you don’t really care, as long as the federal government stops wasting all of your money going after non-violent offenders.

(Photo Credit: JHPoltics.com)

2. You Were Always Pro-Gun, But Now You’re Really Pro-Gun

As a conservative, you’ve always supported the 2nd Amendment, but you didn’t give it much thought and just thought guns were really cool.

(Photo Credit: JHPoltics.com)

But now you’re starting to realize that guns aren’t just for hunting and self-defense. They’re also a fallback if we end up having to get really ticked off at our government.

(Photo Credit: JHPoltics.com)

1. Your Man Crush Has Changed Dramatically

You’ve long had a man crush on Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, and who can blame you? The man is a budget wonk that does P90X.

But you’re constantly reminded that Ryan supported the bank bailouts, plus his budget won’t balance for like, three decades. Now your crush has shifted to the curly-haired dude in the Senate.

(Photo Credit: JHPoltics.com)

At the end of the day, it’s not like you plan on bolting the Republican Party for some other alternative. You just find yourself considering things a bit differently. That’s alright. It’s happening to a lot of us.